Variety of Calla Lily Named &#39;Allure&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Allure’ is a new variety of calla lily having flowers with a red/purple-colored spathe that produces 2-15 flowers per tuber. The flower stems are about 20 cm. in height and the leaves are green with whitish spots and have a leathery texture.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Zantedeschia sprengeri

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘ALLURE’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of callalily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Allure’.

‘Allure’ is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating Zantedeschia hybrids for pot flower production ina wide range of colors with a large, classic flower shape. The breedingprogram began in 1989 and the new cultivar is a seedling selected fromthe crossing of Zantedeschia sprengeri variety ‘Majestic Red’ (femaleparent, unpatented) with an unnamed Zantedeschia sprengeri seedling(male parent, unpatented). ‘Allure’ was selected in 2002 by the inventorC.J.J. Randag in ‘t Zand, The Netherlands as one flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Allure’ by tissue culture wasperformed by the inventor in August of 2002 in Auckland, New Zealand.Further asexual reproductions by tissue culture at the same location hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are retained and reproduced true to type throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in ‘t Zand, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions whichapproximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Colorreferences are made to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal HorticultureSociety of London, except where general color terms of ordinarysignificance are used.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variation inenvironment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined tobasic characteristics of ‘Allure’ which, in combination, distinguishthis calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Red/Purple-colored spathe;

2. Natural dwarf plant architecture; and

3. High flower production.

Table 1 provides similarities and differences of ‘Allure’ to itsparents.

TABLE 1 ‘Allure’ Similarities Differences ‘Magestic Red’ Spathe colorPlant height Unnamed seedling Plant height Spathe color

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a close-up photograph of the spathes and leaves of the newvariety;

FIG. 3 is a photograph of multiple plants of the new variety; and

FIG. 4 is also a photograph of multiple plants of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   The plant:    -   -   Size.—Height of the leaf canopy above the soil: 15-20 cm.            Height of top of flower above the soil: 20-25 cm. Diameter:            10-20 cm.        -   Form.—Erect.        -   Number of flowers per tuber.—Size 9-12 cm. in diameter: 2-4            flowers. Size 12-15 cm. in diameter: 4-7 flowers. Size            15-18 cm. in diameter: 7-15 flowers.        -   Branches.—Character: Many, like the variety ‘Chrystal Blush’            (unpatented). Color: Between Yellow-Green Group RHS 146A and            146C.        -   Leaves.—Size: Width: 2-6 cm. Length: 20-25 cm. Number per            plant: 25-35. Shape: Elliptic. Color: Upper surface: Green            Group RHS 137A to 137B. Lower surface: Green Group RHS 137A            to 137B. Margin: Wavy. Veins: Configuration: Pinnate. Color:            Yellow-Green Group RHS 147A. Surface quality: Leathery.            Petiole: Length: 3-15 cm. Color: The base is between            Green-White Group RHS 157A and 157B. The upper part of the            petiole is between Yellow-Green Group RHS 146A and 146C.        -   Roots.—Color: White. Branching: Similar to other            Zantedeschia varieties.-   The flower and seeds:    -   -   Spathe.—Size: Length: 6-10 cm. Width: 4-6 cm. Color: Upper            surface: Varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 59A and 59B.            Lower surface: Varies between Red-Purple Group RHS 59A and            59B. Vein color: Purple Group RHS N79A. Shape: Cupped.        -   Spadix.—Size: Length: 10-20 mm. Diameter: 2-7 mm. Color:            Between Yellow Group RHS 13A and 13B. Position relative to            spathe: Upright.        -   Peduncle.—Size: Length: 20-25 cm. Diameter: 5-7 mm. Color:            Upper part varies between Yellow-Green Group RHS 144A and            144B, and the lower part is Green-White Group RHS 157D with            spots between Red-Purple Group RHS 59A and 59B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Location of female organs: Basal            position of the spadix. Location of male organs: Upper            position of the spadix. Perianth: Conspicuous. Stamens:            Presence: Not visible before pollen release. Number: More            than 50. Pollen amount: Similar to ‘Picasso’ (U.S. Plant            Pat. No. 15,282). Color: Between White Group RHS 155A and            155B. Anther: Shape: Round and wire-like. Length: Less than            1 mm. Color: Between White Group RHS 155A and 155B.            Filament: Length: Less than 1 mm. Color: Between White Group            RHS 155A and 155B. Pistil: Number: 10 to 20. Length beyond            perianth: About 1 mm. Stigma: Shape: Round. Size: Less than            1 mm. Style: Length: Less than 1 mm. Ovaries: Texture:            Smooth. Length: Between 1 to 10 mm. Width: Between 1 to            10 mm. Color: Between Red-Purple Group RHS 59A and 59B.        -   Seeds.—Length: 4-7 mm. Width: 3-6 mm. Color: Between            Yellow-Green Group RHS N144A and 151B. Amount: Between 1-50.-   General:    -   -   Disease resistance.—No unusual susceptibility to diseases            noticed to date.        -   Pest resistance.—No unusual susceptibility to pests noticed            to date.        -   Heat tolerance.—Unknown.        -   Hardiness.—Not hardy.        -   Flowering.—Tubers planted in a 14 cm. pot in a greenhouse in            The Netherlands in February produce flowers in April. Tubers            planted outdoors in The Netherlands in May produce flowers            in July.        -   Lastingness.—About two weeks on the plant.        -   Fragrance.—None.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of calla lily plant named‘Allure’ as herein described and illustrated.